Spanners are size-specific. The most common is the combination spanner, which has a closed – 'box' – end and an open end to help with different access points, although there are a wide variety of different types such as double box or offset spanners.

While spanner wrenches have specific uses, especially with nuts that have holes or pins, you can often use them interchangeably with regular wrenches for standard nuts and bolts.

A spanner is a type of wrench with an opening and sometimes little teeth: you can clasp it over the nut or bolt and get a good grip. In the US, the main difference between a spanner and other wrenches is the spanner is adjustable and works with many sizes of nuts and bolts. Definitions of spanner.